Category Archives: Dining Out GF

Of course everyone knows that a Gyros sandwich contains gluten. What many people don’t realize (including myself apparently) is that Gyros Meat contains gluten.

I had long suspected that because up until now I would often have a small gluten reaction. I had also read that on a package of Gyros meat. However, I wasn’t convinced that it applied to ALL Gyros meat. Can you hear my denial here?

So last night I ran up the street to the Mediterranean Restaurant and got Gyros meat. Yum. I even asked them to look on the package and see if there was wheat in it. They assured me there was not. It was just lamb and beef BUT they didn’t look. Then I ate it. Yum again. A few hours later I went to bed and it got windy in the bed. Poor dogs.

This morning I can’t bend over without hanging onto something. My colon is pressing on the nerves in my left leg like never before. This sucks. Oh well, at least I know for sure about the meat.

I don’t know about you, but I, like many, many people in America struggle with too many calories and too much eating out (which translates into too much wasted spending). Well, over the last couple of years, since my eating out has grown, the quality of food has declined – or maybe my palate has become pickier. Whatever the case, I have been beating myself up for eating out because of the calories and the money. I imagine many of you are doing the same thing too. I mean, all too often, after I eat, I realize that my taste buds weren’t really satisfied and I feel cheated by myself.

2 rolls from Meiji

I’ve discovered that very few restaurants are worth the money. A few are. For example, Meiji in Fayetteville, Arkansas is one of the best sushi restaurants ever. Keep in mind, sushi is my favorite food and I eat it everywhere. Thai Diner in Fayetteville, Arkansas has some of the best Thai food (their sushi is only “good” though). Saii in Oklahoma City is the best in the city and is good. Legal Seafoods is worthwhile. Las Culebrinos in Coral Gables, Florida, Cali Cafe in Doral, Florida (which has gone out of business), and the American Grill at L’Enfant Plaze [Hotel] in Washington, D.C. are just a few of the really good ones. There’s a few more, but these stand out in my mind over all the other meals I’ve ever had.

Saii in OKC

So how do I spend and eat less? I don’t know how many meals I’ve eaten and afterwards thought “thatwas half a pedi.” But I know I am going to spend it. So I’ve come up with a new idea. If I put in mysavings account the money I would spend on eating out and use it for something I really want, then maybe, I’ll eat out less. For example, today is dollar tacos at Hugo’s Taquiza. Instead of going to Hugo’s, I’m transferring $3.25 to my savings account. So I’m trying. I don’t know if it will work, but I know that when I was teaching smoking cessation it is something that works for smoking. Smoking is an addiction, overeating is an addiction, let’s try it. So far, my bank account is a wee bit bigger and I’m back to losing weight. Let’s just see how it goes.

(BTW can you see a pattern in what my favorite food is? Yes, fish. I love fish).

Have you realized yet that not every Gluten Free Menu at a restaurant is created equal? Well, they aren’t. Last night I ate at Iron Starr Urban Barbeque and their GF menu had four items, four sides, no dessert and one appetizers on it. I was there for an event, and they had three choices planned for us, none of them GF. When they asked if we were ready for bread pudding for dessert, I asked about GF alternatives. They returned and told me they had none. That means they didn’t even have ice cream. So I had to sit there and watch all my cohorts eat decadent bread pudding with chocolate and I had NOTHING. Fail! Iron Strarr’s GF menu appeared to be their attempt at, “let’s see, what do we already have that we can list on a GF menu?

Contrast that with several weeks ago when I was in Arlington, VA, I ate at Legal Seafoods.Legal Seafoods has a serious GF menu. They brought me bread, they had fried appetizers, etc. They had worked on their menu. For example, I asked for Fried Calamari and it took about 10-15 minutes. Then they apologized for it taking so long, explaining that they had to get me fresh oil and heat it, all the while wearing gloves. I was in serious restaurant love after this experience. Too bad they aren’t in Oklahoma. They even had an amazing dessert. They are my new standard for GF.

Both of these are better than the restaurants where you go and have to educate the people on gluten. However, I feel that with gluten sensitivity on the rise, that places like Iron Starr do themselves a disservice. The day after I ate at Legal Seafoods, I was having a chai at Starbucks (who definitely needs to consider having a GF pastry) and I met a man who was gluten intolerant. I told him how wonderful the Legal Seafoods menu had been and he said he was going to eat there.

P.F. Chang’s Fried Rice

At lunch the next day I walked a block or so from the hotel and found King Street Blues, a restaurant in Crystal City, VA. They gad a GF menu and even mention the fact that they have a GF menu on their web site. I even got to eat baked beans. Amazing.

I was sorely disappointed last night. But it’s not that I live in an uncivilized city. Cheevers, a local restaurant, had a GF menu. It’s not as awesome as Legal Seafood (but what is?) but it’s solid. They have given their GF menu thought, and tried to create dishes for those that are GF in their midst. P.F. Chang’s has a GF menu, and true, all the items on the GF menu are on the regular menu. But still, it is a decent attempt.

Note: After I wrote this I was invited to a luncheon at Jamil’s Steakhouse. I called to see if they have a GF menu. Nope, they don’t. I asked what they had that was GF. They didn’t know of anything that was GF except the salads. That was beyond insulting. Scratch that one off your list of contenders.

Ta Da! Jason’s Deli has GF bread and it’s GOOD! If I were a few years younger I’d use lots of exclamation marks, but that might be a bit Faceybook. So, I’m only using one but I’m doing a happy dance! You know, like Snoopy does.

I had to go try it, literally HAD TO. The bread was fluffy and light. I was so impressed. They even sell their bread ($11.99 a loaf in OKC). Well, I’ll still make my own, because mine is as good and costs less. But it’s nice to be able to go and order a sandwich and it taste good and be safe. Kudos to Jason’s Deli.

Tonight I ate too many wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. They are questionable about gluten. IF you have them put the sauce on the side you are probably alright. But, big but, there is not guarantee. But darn it, I wanted WINGS! Buffalo Wild Wings even has an allergen list and traditional wings are said to not have wheat. They mix all the sauces and wings together in the same place so the sauce needs to be on the side. It’s a crap shoot, but hey, all eating out is, right?

Something else that got me (my fault, mae culpa,) is the Caribbean Jerk Sauce which has soy. Whoops. I knew I was feeling contaminated. I’m glad to know it’s my fault and not the Buffalo Wild Wings. So go and enjoy. Just be careful of the sauces.

Safe Buffalo Wild Wing Sauces

Sweet BBQ

Mild

Parmesan Garlic

Medium

Honey Barbecue

Honey Mustard

Spicy Garlic

Hot

Hot Barbecue

Mango Habenero

Wild

Blazing

Cajun

Desert Heat

Buffalo

Salt and Vinegar

Chipotle Barbecue

Lemon Pepper

Jammin Jalapeno

But once again use discretion, because on their list of allergens they missed the fact that most Blue Cheese Dressing has gluten in it. Theirs may be safe, but I don’t know. Another thing that is problematic with their list is that they list some sauces as having soy, but don’t also check the wheat box. Now we all know there is wheat in soy sauce so just call it what it is – soy and wheat. Oh well, maybe I’m being too picky, but I don’t think so.

I’m sure we all have heard that P.F. Chang’s has a GF menu. Over the last several weeks I have gone twice and both times been extremely happy. I mean, GF Chinese that tastes real is hard to find. But P.F. Chang’s has done it. I really like the GF Chang’s Spicy Chicken and I love the Egg Drop Soup.

Another thing that is fun about PF Chang’s is that they bring out these GF sauces and they mix one up for the patron. The downside is that it’s the same every time and I feel like they are trying to convince me that it’s that particular waiter’s idea and not the way they were trained. Just a personal aside. But all-in-all, it’s wonderful to be able to have a GF Chinese meal.

The sauces

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